You can expect a lot of mysterious injuries the weekend before this game, particularly the NRL players, for both teams.

I think Leilua fancies himself for a SOO place so can't see hm playing anyway.

Milford was SOO last year before he broke the 12.00pm curfew, so highly unlikely he will be turning out for Samoa

So no George Williams then? No matter how well Widdop is playing, i like the look of Williams and Gale at 6 & 7

I don't think Super League clubs will release Samoan players. Just saying. If you're already going to lose 3, why would you sanction potentially more than that going.

Can't see Cas letting JSL, Moors or Roberts going particularly if we lose Hardaker and Gale.

SL clubs have an obligation to England - don't have an obligation to Samoa.

Also, Williams will be in the squad. And again, I can see all the NRL-based England players being included.

Do SL clubs have a choice?

Probably not, certainly for England, not sure about Samoa or Tonga though, Hull let Manu and Pritchard play for Samoa last year missing the cup game at Saints.

Isn't there a rule where you can call off the game if you have 5 players missing?

SL Clubs shouldn't have a choice, regardless of the standing of the nations.

As for that rule, hope it's poppycock. If one club is inconvenienced it shouldn't be right for that club to inconvenience another.

One Wiganer in that England squad. That will do me!

1. Zak Hardaker (CAS)
2. Ryan Hall (LEE)
3. Mark Percival (STH)
4. Kallum Watkins (LEE)
5. Jermaine Mcgilvary (HUD)
6. George Williams (WIG)
7. Luke Gale (CAS)
8. Chris Hill (WAR)
9. Josh Hodgson (NRL)
10. James Graham (NRL)
11. Mike McMeekan (CAS)
12. Elliott Whitehead (NRL)
13. Sam Burgess (NRL)

14. Gareth Widdop (NRL)
15. George Burgess (NRL)
16. Scott Taylor (HFC)
17. Liam Farrell (WIG)

That's 3 Castleford, 2 Leeds, 2 Wigan, 1 Warrington, 1 Huddersfield, 1 Hull FC, 1 St Helens.

Then you'd expect reserves also. I reckon a total of 25 - 30 squad based players.

3 Castleford - Hardaker, Gale, McMeekan
3 Wigan - Williams, Farrell, Oloughlin
3 Leeds - Watkins, Hall, Ferres
3 Warrington - Hill, Clark, Cooper
2 St Helens - Percival, Smith
2 Hull FC - Taylor, Shaul
1 Huddersfield - Mcgilvary
1 Wakefield - Johnstone
NRL - Graham, Widdop, Burgess, Burgess, Burgess, Whitehead, Hodgson

If 30 (Hock, Houghton, Cudjoe, Sarginson & Roby)

Tough week of super league fixtures that week also:

Thursday - Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers
Friday - Warrington Wolves v St Helens
Friday - Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils
Saturday - Catalan Dragons v Leeds Rhinos
Saturday - Leigh Centurions v Wakefield Trinity
Sunday - Widnes Vikings v Hull FC

Are the prop forwards in Super League so poor that the Burgess twins can warrant selection?

I think prop is a strong position - when players like Watts, Walmsley etc. are not mentioned in the post above. Watts has been better than Taylor for me this year.

Hardaker, McGillvary, Watkins, Sarginson, Hall, Widdop, Williams, G Burgess, Hodgson, Graham, Whitehead, Farrell, S Burgess

Hill, T Burgess, Taylor, Clark

Ratchford, O'Loughlin, Percival (squad players)

1 Cas
1 Hudds
2 Leeds
3 Wire
1 Wigan
1 Hull

It's one game. We'll only take a squad of around 20. The starting 17 and a couple of back-up players. There's no need to take 25 players, most of whom won't play. Have standby players over here just in case there's a real injury crisis and people need to go at short notice.

Suprised not many have gone for Tom Johnsone, been the best winger in SL this year for me and deserves a chance.

Was at a club ambassador meeting tonight with Ryan Hall in attendance. He let slip that England players already know who's going and he, Watkins & Ferres fly out after Huddersfield game and return on the Monday after Catalans.

Ferres is a joke selection.

I'm all for the game but I just hope they don't take an extra 3 or 4 squad players from over here for them to just sit in the stands doing nothing. I wouldn't select the likes of Tom Burgess, George Burgess and Dan Sarginson but they provide ample cover to the squad.

I'm stunned if Ferres is in with his suspension (although his England performances have been very good in the past).

I'd be looking at-

Hardaker
Johnstone Watkins Percival Hall
Widdop Williams
Graham Hodgson Hill
Farrell McMeekan S Burgess

Watts Walmsley Whitehead Clark

A decent mixture of established players whilst having a look at some exciting youngsters like Johnstone and McMeekan. The choice between Widdop, Williams and Gale is a killer! All three are in top top form and you could pick any two and make a decent case for why you've done it.

Whilst it's not counting towards his 6 match ban, at the time of his suspension it said he wouldn't be allowed to play for England. So given he has been part of the England squad and England are limited to how many they can take from a team then why not take him? Doesn't effect his club as he'll still be banned and it gives Bennett an extra guy in training and beneficial if Ferres' form when he returns gets him in the WC squad.

The rumours are that Leilua has burnt his bridges with Daley and won't get a NSW call up, Bennetts just said he won't stand in Milfords way if he want's to play for Samoa. I'd guess that both players have spoke to the SOO camps to find out if they've got a chance.

The Burgess twins are in poor form with Tom been the better. Sarginson has had a injury hit start, Greenwood steady from the bench, Hodgson has come into form the last few weeks, Turner can't get a game, Wardle ineffective in a very poor side.

6. Widdop
9. Hodgson
10. Graham
13. Burgess

Are all i'd pick from the NRL,

You wouldn't select Whitehead?

Frank Pritchard has been ruled out for Samoa. Some other players who could be in contention from rugby league.com

Brisbane five-eighth Anthony Milford and Raiders centre Joey Leulua will be the headline acts but, Parish has no shortage of talent to choose from and some tough selection decisions will have to be made.

Other players expected to be chosen are Sia Soliola, Sam Kasiano, Canberra prop Junior Paulo, Josh McGuire, Leeson Ah Mau, Peter and Sione Mata'utia, Antonio Winterstein, Tim Lafai, David Nofoaluma, Sauaso Sue, Isaac Liu and Nu Brown.

Also eligible are Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Broncos centre Tautau Moga, Warriors prop James Gavet and winger Ken Maumalo, North Queensland playmaker John Asiata and South Sydney prop Zane Musgrove.

Whitehead should be automatic. What I like about him is that he's not a brainless biff-and-barge forward - he shows genuine touches of class with the ball.

Tom Burgess is playing well enough to play for England. I have the feeling George will come good. In any event they'll be in the squad at the end of the year, and will likely get picked due to playing in the NRL and having a good understanding with each other.

When is the squad named?

If Burgess gets banned for that late shoulder charge, will he be out of the England game?

Not sure, they might wait until all the SL weeelend games are completed so they can do a fitness check on those selected. As pointed out earlier, the players will already know if they're doing with probably a few put on standby.

One of the problems with this game though is that you're going to be rushing guys who be sore and tired immediately onto a very long flight to Australia, not good at all for those with niggles and issues that need attention. What if a guy reports a slight knock from his SL game? Do we risk taking them or pick someone else?